Free Radicals scavenging potency of ethanolic fruit extract of Selim pepper (Xylopia aethiopica)

Introduction: Free radicals (FRs) are unstable molecular species with unpaired electrons, capable of causing damage to cells and the human body, leading to illness and aging.The ability to scavenge the free radicals possesses a property referred to as anti-oxidant property.This study aimed to investigate the ability of Selim pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) fruit ethanolic extract (XAFEE) to scavenge some free radicals. Materials and Methods: A powdered sample of dried Xylopia aethiopica fruit was soaked in 95% ethanol (1: 10 w/v) for 48 hours on a shaker to ensure maximum mixture and extraction.Filtration of the extract with clean Whatmann No.1 paper followed.The filtrate was placed in a water bath to allow evaporation of the solvent, and the consequent concentration followed using a rotary evaporator.XAFEE-GC-MS and the in-vitro analyses against standard (vitamin C) on 2, 2-azinobis-3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical (ABTS • ), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydroxyl radical (DPPH • ), nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl radical (OH • ), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were carried out.Results: XAFEE-GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of thirteen (13) bioactive compounds.The extract showed higher remarkable inhibitions of ABTS • , DPPH • , NO, OH • , and H2O2 than the standard vitamin C. Conclusion:The bioactive compounds of Selim pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) fruit and its subsequent free radicals-scavenging activities suggest, it is an ideal natural antioxidant agent and, thus can be explored in feed systems, animal feed formulation, and drug preparation.